New Delhi. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today said the Congress would scrap the NITI Aayog and replace it with a “lean” Planning Commission if it’s voted to power. He said the NITI Aayog, which was introduced by the Modi government, had served no purpose other than making marketing presentations for the PM and fudging data, while the Planning Commission will have renowned economists and experts as its members.

The Congress chief also said the Congress’ soon-to-be released manifesto will lay major thrust on jobs creation, addressing agrarian distress and strengthening the education and health sectors besides charting a roadmap to boost economic growth. Without divulging specific details of the manifesto, Gandhi said it will have a well-thought out “strategic plan” for creation of jobs on a “huge scale” and a roadmap for transformation of the agriculture sector, besides ways to boost small businesses and the economy at large.

Mr Gandhi today attacked PM Modi over ‘Mai bhi Chowkidar’ slogan. He said that in 2014, the prime minister told voters to make him the ‘chowkidar’ (watchman), but five years later, he made everyone a ‘chowkidar’. Gandhi added that, however, not all are ‘chowkidars’ as there were many ‘chors’ (thieves) too.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi slammed BJP for its “anti-BJP” approach and asked voters if they had received Rs 15 lakh as promised by the NDA government. She said that people have told her that PM Modi has not visited even a single village in his constituency in the last five years. Priyanka is addressing a rally in Adilpur, 48 km from Ayodhya.